2 people arrested for operating illegal casino in Charlotte County

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WWSB) – Two people are under arrest after allegedly continuing to operate an illegal casino in Charlotte County.

On Monday, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit conducted an operation at the Showtime Casino located at 3012 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte. CCSO has received numerous tips and complaints about this location regarding illegal slot machine gambling.

According to the report, the Sheriff's Office went to Arcade's headquarters located at 1152 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte and observed illegal gambling inside the business. The employee working inside received a summons for a gambling house employee. Within minutes of this interaction, the city's other casinos began telling customers to leave and closed their doors. in all haste.

Detectives went to the Showtime Casino at 3012 Tamiami Trail and observed the two employees taking turns walking toward the roadway and looking up and down the road like lookouts. Employees also closed the door behind each customer as they entered and exited the casino. During the operation, detectives observed illegal gambling taking place inside the casino on slot machines.

Detectives warned all customers inside that what they were doing was illegal and that they should leave immediately. The two individuals who ran the casino, Mevin Rodriguez and Amey M. Naik, were both arrested as agents or employees of a gaming house.

The Sheriff's Office has issued several warnings to these business owners throughout the county, informing them that what they are doing is illegal and currently a misdemeanor in the state of Florida.

On July 1, 2024, the Florida state law (FSS 849.01) for operating and working within a gambling house will be changed from a misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.

In addition to the CCSO warnings, the Florida Gaming Commission has issued similar warnings to each of these companies, as it has received numerous complaints about these casinos opening and calling themselves “arcades.”

CCSO found that these businesses would close their doors for a short time when they learned that deputies were issuing warnings, educating owners and customers, or making an arrest, then reopening in the coming days.

Law enforcement reminds the public that if you find yourself in an establishment gambling on these illegal machines, you may also be charged with a misdemeanor. Please think twice before deciding to embark on any of these ventures.

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